Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-10
REAGAN u rKoHIBIrIoNIsr.
Political Circles in Texas stirred 60
tnc Very Bottom.

Political Circles in Texas stirred to
inc Very Bottom.
GALVESTON, TEX, April 9-The pro-
hibition question is rapidly sssumlng
front rank among the political issues Of
Texas. The late Legislature passed an
act submitting this question to vote of
the people in August, and the Prohibit
tionists are organizing for the battle
Chief among them arr eX Lieut.. GOV
Gibbs Of Dallas. Hou. Walter Gresham
Of galveston, and politicians OF lesser
note. VINO have CONSTITUTED themselves a
committee representing tue Democratic
party OF Texas, and are lnVltrug nrOmi-
nent Democrats TO attend n meeting on
April 30 tor the purpose OF calling n con-
vention in May ''tO set forth clearly ana
universally tho tipe-honOred principles
of the Democratic party IN its opposition
to all forms OF sumptuary legislation."
REAGAN FOR PROHIBITION.
The News prints to-day an open let
ter from senator John ii. Reagan reply
ing to the invitation of the committee TO
attend the coming meeting. Mr.. Rea9an's
letter Will produce a genuine sensation
in the political world OF Texas. He comes
out squarely IN favor Of prohibition and
deals the oppositiop some hefculean blows
from the Democratic stand point. Two
years ago Mr.. Reagan stood beside Sena-
tor Coke, Gov. Ireland, Congressman
Mills and other prominent Democrats in
strenuously opposing the growth of the
prob bition idea, ON the ground that it was
a sacred principle of the Democracy to
oppose sumptuary laws OF whatever
character.
A BIG SURPRISE.
Mr.. Reagan's complete change of
H.. loo, u
nearest friends. After picturing al
length the wretchedness and disnOnor to
be encountered in every community re-
sulting from the use OF liquor, the sen.
ator says: II must express my regret
that any effort has been made to make "a
party question OF prohibition, and es-
peclally do regret that Democrats should
seek to identity that great and grand his
toric party with the fortunes and fate OF
whisky shops, drunkards and criminals"
MEETING OF THE LIQUOR MEN.
DALLAS, TEX, April 9.-The whisky
mems State Executive Committee met
here to-day with closed doors. 1t has
leaked out that they are considering
whether they shall make a local fight
merely all over the State or organize Tor
a State contest with a iull-rigged commit
tee and beyy of orators.
The presence of several Republican
leaders suggests the idea that that party
Will use the present contest TO break
down the Democratic party. They want
the prohibition question made "a
Democratic party issue, and Demo-
Gratis are fighting shy of this.
PROHIBITION IN KANSAS.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, April 9.-The new
law passed by the late Kansas Legisla-
ture, which is intended as a backbone to
the present prohibitory law, is playing
havoc with the liquor trade in Kansas.
St. Joseph wholesale dealers complain Of
falling off in their trade, and a firm
that is known to be one OF the largest in
the city has taken four OF its Kansas
men of the road. In Kansas City, it is
understood, the result OF the case Is
the same. the Kansas trade be-
ing virtually killed. The law
makes it necessary for man
desiring to open drug store to have
twenty-five women signers to his petition,
and any person who buys liquor must go
before notary public and make affidavit
as to what use ne will make of it, and
that it is not intended to be drank as q
beverage. ct. Joseph wholesale dealers
have in all taken about fifteen men Off
the road as result OF this amendment to
the laws.